President Obama presented eminent psychological scientist Albert Bandura with the National Medal of Science in a ceremony held at the White House on May 19, 2016. Awarded annually by a committee of presidential appointees, the National Medal of Science recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to science, technology, and engineering.

Bandura, professor emeritus of psychology at Stanford University, has received both the APS William James Fellow Award and the APS James McKeen Cattell Fellow Award and is considered one of the most influential psychological scientists in the world. Bandura’s groundbreaking research on self-efficacy demonstrated that individuals’ beliefs about their own capabilities affects their choices, motivations, and even well-being and health. Self-efficacy theory has had broad implications for everything from HIV prevention to classroom teaching strategies.

In a series of now-famous experiments, Bandura used an inflatable clown doll named Bobo to demonstrate that learning depends on more than simply rewards and punishment. After watching an adult aggressively pummel a Bobo doll, children modeled the same aggressive behavior by kicking, hitting, and throwing the doll; children who watched a nonaggressive adult did not adopt the same degree of violent behavior toward the doll. These findings revolutionized the understanding of learning, leading to the development of social cognitive theory.

In one of the most widely viewed episodes of Inside the Psychologist’s Studio, Bandura explains how the Bobo experiments have become influential in ways he never could have foreseen — television programs throughout the world have utilized Bandura’s modeling principles to tackle issues ranging from the prevention of child trafficking to improving adult literacy.

Comments

As I quart “efficacy theory has had broad implications for everything from HIV prevention to classroom teaching strategies.” as a student Teacher through his works I have created a meaningful Teaching/learning Environment for my learners in my two previous Teaching practice and recorded an A+.I therefore challenge every teacher to follow professor Bandura’s works and see the real change. Your works will forever be remembered professor Bandura.

Thank you for sharing this most encouraging article. I am happy to learn that Dr. Bandura has received such an award for his amazing and powerful work…showing the power of the model. Makes me want to become a better one.

Professor Bandera deserves this outstanding Award. As a trained psychologist, I have benefited immensely from his ground-breaking research works. May he be an ecouragement to all practicing psychologists.

Congratulations to Dr. Bandura! It is such a beautiful sight to see Prof receive this award! Dr. Bandura’s theory on Social learning remains one close to my heart; understanding the vast application of his theory is a pure bliss! Thank you Dr. Bandura for teaching us these theories.

I am a student of Psychology presently persuing M.Sc Applied Psychology n PG Diploma in Guidance & Counselling from an Indian University.

First of all congratulations to Bandura sir for his achievement.
It gives immense pleasure to see such a news especially about the scientist whom we are studying. Really great contributin n achievement.

Congratulations, Professor Bandura. Your thoughtful and thorough work has had, and will continue to have, immeasurable influence on human thought and functioning. It is heartwarming to see this influence rightly acknowledged. Best wishes.

Sir, I am the example of your wor. When in grad school (communication) I discovered your work. It has gotten me through both master (Sex education in the schools) and the dissertation ( abstinence programs), later the use of telenovelas to change behaviors and so on! Thank you for all your work!

Please receive my congratulation as you received the award of psychological science. It is great life time achievement of your unbeatable contribution to Psychology. Your research works are inspiring to all the students of psychology forever. I wish your long and productive life.

First of all, I’d like to congratulate Professor A. Bandura. Congratulation! Unquestionably, Albert Bandura’s contribution to psychological science is very much outstanding! Thanks Prof for your contribution! And You deserve the recognition and awards! Social learning theory, now social cognitive theory, is a versatile theory & applicable to all walks of life.

A sample of new research exploring hormones and externalizing behavior in adolescents, source information and working memory, language exposure and brain development, and the gender-equality paradox in STEM… More